164 DOGGED RA CK.

 He often warned the boy to be very careful not to
offend the mate, and hitherto Jack, having little or no
occasion for intercourse with him, had been able to
avoid doing so. It was during the third week at sea
that the monotony of the voyage was broken in a
way very unpleasant to Jack.
 One evening at about seven o'clock he was occupied
in clearing away the dishes and plates after late
dinner in the captain's cabin. The captain and the
first mate dined together cosily, and fared, of course,
better than the rest of the crew, and immediately
after dinner they were in the habit of taking a smoke
together on the quarter deck.
 Now, one of the dishes served by the cook for them
that day was a loin of mutton, and, being fresh meat,
was considered on board somewhat of a delicacy
and luxury.
 Jack, on removing the dishes, was rather surprised
to see that the one on which the mutton had been
was quite empty, but saying to himself with a smile
that the captain and mate had certainly dined very
heartily that day, he thought no more on the subject,
but continued his duties.
 The matter was not so easily disposed of, however,
in the opinion of Billy the cook, who roundly charged
Jack with having stolen the remainder of the joint
for his own use.